Latch



Feb 23 1926.

F. M. VANDERVOQRT LATCH Filed Nov. 8, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheeil 1 m Mw v Ma 06 w a w m w M a Feb.23,1926, v 4 1,574,025 F. M. VANDERVOORT LATCH FiledNov. 8, 19 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 23, 1926.

LEN-WED STA'lEfi PATENT QFFlQE.

FRANCIS M. VANDERVOORT, 0:1 PUEBLO, CDLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO THE POSITIVELOCK COMPANY, OF PUEBLO, CGLORADO, A CGBPORATIGN OF COLOR/ADC.

LATCH.

Application filed November 8, 1923. Serial No. 673,582.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. VANDER- wear, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Pueblo, county of Pueblo, State 01 Colorado, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Latches; and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same. i

This invention relates to latches, particularly to latches adapted foruse in connection with the doors or windows of a vehicle such as anautomobile. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is notlimited to this particular use and that the term latch is used broadlyto include both latch and lock constructions.

One or the principal objects of this invention is to improve andsimplify the construction of latches of the type shown in theapplication of Crompton & Crooks Serial lo. 592,497, filed October 5,1922, especially from the standpoint of reducing the cost ofmanufacture.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will beapparent from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings which show one specific embodiment of theinvention, but it is to be understood that the specific embodiment ofthe invention shown and described is merely one form typical of thebroad invention chosen to explain the principles of the broad inventionand is to be taken as illustrative and not restrictive.

- In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a latch and cooperating keeper embodying thisinvention shown in the position which the parts occupy when mounted onthe door and door jamb, espoctively, of an automobile, parts of saiddoor and door jamb being shown in dotted lines; 7

Fig. 2 is an end view of the latch and keeper looking from the left ofFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view oil? the latch and keeper looking from the bottomof Fig. 1;.

Fig. 4c is an end view of the latch only with part of the end platebroken away showing the bolt, illustrated in section, in latchedposition within the latch;

Fig. 5 is an end View similar to Fig. 4

showing the bolt, shown in section, justentering between the latchmembers;

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are end, side, and plan views, respectively, of themain or base plate of the latch casing;

Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are end, plan and side views, respectively, of thehousing plate of the latch casing;

Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are end, side and plan views, respectively, of oneof the latching members Figs. 15, 16 and 17 are plan, side and endviews, respectively, of the abutment member;

Figs. 18 and 19 are plan and side views, respectively, of the slidingoperating member;

Figs. 20 and 21 are plan and side views, respectively, of one of thepivoted operating members, and 1 Fig. 22 is a side view of the bolt.

Broadly stated, the invention comprises latching means movable to engageand hold a bolt or catch in latched position, abutment means, supportedby said latching means adapted to engage and press the bolt or catchagainst said latching means, and means for operating the. latching meansto release the bolt or catch.

Stated more specifically, the invention comprises opposed pivotedlatching members separable one from the other by the insertion ot a boltor catch therebetween, an abutment member supported by said latchingmembers adapted to engage and press the belt or catch against saidlatching members, means for operating the latching inem bers to releasethe bolt or catch, and means acting through such operating meansnormally retaining said latching members in latched position.

Referring to the drawings, 10 indicates generally the latch casing ormounting to suppoi the latch elements. In the example illustrated, themounting or casing coinpriscs a base or back plate ll having an integralsubstantially right-angular extension iorniing an end portion 12, and ahousing plate 13 also having an integral substantially rightangularextension forming an end portion 14 Plates 11 and 13, with their bentends or extensions, are both substantially L-shapcd and these plates aresecured together in spaied relation to form between them a substantiallyL-shaped space Although any suitable means of securing plates 11 and 13together may be used, the means shown is preferred. Plate 11 is providedwith two hollow extruded portions 15 forming countersunk apertures, eachterminating in a hollow boss 16, to be explained more in detail later.Base plate 11 18 also provided with. two apertures 17. Housing plate 13is provided with four apertures 18, two oi said apertures adapted toregister with hollow extruded portions 15 and the other two aperturesregistering with apertures 17, respectively. Ri ets 15.) passing throughextruded portions 15 and holes 18, and shoulderv rivets 20 and 20, eachpassing through. holes 17 and 18, rigidly hold plates 11 and 13 inspaced relation. Ordinarily, the latch casing 10 is mounted on a door,indicated. in dotted lines at D, with the end portion 12 substantiallytiush with one edge of the door, the casing being secured to the door bymeans of screws or similar fastening means passing through apertures 21provided for this purpose in plate 11. The latch used with a cooperatingbolt or strike, indicated generally by B, mounted on the door jaml': Jso that when the door. is swung shut, the projecting bolt is engaged andheld in latched position by means within the latch casing or mounting10.

The construction of the bolt or catch B may vary within the broad scope.of the invention, but the form illustrated is desirable because it canbe made of one piece of stamped metal. Bolt or strike B comprises a bentplate 22 provided with holes to re ceive s-rews or other fastening meansfor securing the plate to the door jamb and the bolt proper 23 punchedor pressed out from plate 22. The bolt proper23 isSllOWD'SL'tbstantially triangular in cross-section, but

this shape may vary. In order to permit bolt 13 to enter casing 10,adjoining portions of base or back plate 11 and end 12 are cut away toform the slot or opening 24.

Within casing 10 is provided means for securely latching bolt B and atthesame time firmly clamping and holding the same against rattlingirrespective of wear or looseness of the latch parts. Pivotally mountedbetween spated ends 12 and 14- of plates 11 and 13 respectively are twoopposed hook-shaped latch members 25 and 26. These latch members,preferably made of: stamped sheet metal, are generally of channel shape,each having; a web 2? and depending sides or flanges 2S and 29. Theflanges 28 and 29 are each provided with an oppositely extendingextruded portion or boss 30, these extruded portions or bosses 30extending into holes 31 provided in end portions 12. and 14 of plates 11and 13 respectively to thereby pivotally support the hook members. It isto be noted that the flanges or. sides 28 and 29 of the hook members and26 do not extendas far as the hook ends 251 and 261 respectively, ofsaid hook mem- "bers, only the web portions forming the hook ends. Eachhook member is provided intermediate the hook and pivoted ends with anaperture 32 to be explained later. The hook members 25 and 26 aremounted with the hook ends and-261, respectively, te in g each other,the hook ends being disposes adjacent each other and extending into theslot or recess 24: in the "front end. of the casing. The hook members .5and 26 are pressed or urged toward each other by suitable means to bedescribed hereafter. Mounted between the hook members 25 and 26 and.supported thereby is an abutment member 33. As best shown in Figs. 15,16 and 17, the abutment member in the present instance is made of sheetmetal, the ends 3% of the abutment being reduced to form shoul dcrsIntermediate ends 34, the abutment is bent to provide a hump orsubstantially V-shaped bent portion 38, the vertex of the bend or humpbeing located approxin'iately at the center of the abutment bar Theabutment is further provided with a central projection or enlargement37, providing lateral extensions on each side of the abutment. Inmounting the abutment bar 33, the reduced ends 3%. extend into apertures32 provided in the webs of the hook members. the central enlargement orprojection 37 of the abutment engaging between the pivoted ends of thehook members to prevent longitudinal shifting of the abutment; bar. Thehook members tend to come together and are prevented from actuallycon'iing together by shoulders on abutment bar engaging the webs of thehook men'ibers. lVhen the door is swung shut, one corner of the boltenters between the hook me.mbers,'torcing them apart. As the hook.members swing away from each other, they move the abutment away from theentering. bolt until. the bolt has passed the hook ends. The hook enosthen close behind the bolt to hold it in latched position and as thehook members swing toward each other, they move or slide the abutmenttoward the bolt. The abutment engages and presses the bolt against thehook encs whereby the bolt is held against rattling. It will be observedthat the pivoted ends of the hook members form a guideway to slidinglysupport the central enlargement 37 o.t the abutment therebetween. it isto be noted that the concavity or bend 36 of the abutment member 33corresponds substantially in contour to the shape of one corner of thebolt and that when the bolt is held-in latched position, one corner ofthe bolt engages in the bend or concavity 36 of the abutment memberwhereby the bolt is firmly clamped against substantially all lateralmovement.

Inn

Me: is have been provided for operating the latch members to release thebolt or catch. Pivotally mounted on the hollow bosses 16 oi plate 11 aretwo opposed members 38 and 39 res ectively. 1n the present instance, asshown in Figs. 20 and 21, members 38 and 39 are bell crank levers andare mounted adjacent hook members 25 and to swing transversely thereof.Arm 38 of lever 38 is provided with a notch or recess 10 engaging hookmember 25 near the hook end 251 and arm 39 ot lever 39 is provided witha notch or recess 11 engaging hook member 526 near the hook end 261.Arms 38" and 39 of levers 38 and 39, respectively, extend. toward eachother, the ends of the arms being spared from each other to receivetherebetween an operating slide 4-2. Slide 12 is provided adjacent oneend with integral. laterally-extending lugs or tongues a3 and 44., log43 adapted to engage in a notch or recess in arm 38" ot lever 38 and lug44- adapted to engage in a cooperating notch or recess 39 in arm 39 oflever 39. Intermediate its ends, slide 42 is provided with an olfsetbend 15 so that one end of the slide engages plate 11 and the other end01 the slide engages housing plate 13. Housing plate 13 is formed toprovide a slide way 46 or guide tor the slide as. In the presentinstance, this slideway or guide is formed by cutting or punching twosubstantially-parallel slits in housing member 13 and pushing out orexpanding the metal between the slits to form an integral slide-way orguide to receive and support one end of the operating slide .2. Theoffset bend of the operating slide 42 forms an abutment to be engaged byone end of an operating or retracting lever d7 pivoted at 20 to thelatch casing. This lever is provided with an offset bend 4L8intermediate its ends. Lever 47 projects from one side of the casing, acurved slot 49 cut in plate 11 permitting swinging move ment of thelever. The end of the lever which projects from the casing is adapted-tolie parallel to the inner side of the door when the latch is mounted onthe door and may extend to or slightly above the top edge of the door inorder that it may be conveniently operated by the end of the user. Inorder to prevent rattling of the operating lever *7, a leaf spring 50 isprovided. One end of spring 50 engages rivet 20 and the other endengages operating lever 47, forcing the lever against one end of thecurved slot -19 in plate 11,'the spring being held under tension byengagement with lug 51 bent up or struck out from plate 11.

Means are provided for urging the hook members toward one another and inthis instance this means acts through the operat- 'ng mechanism. Acircular, substantially horseshoe shaped contractile spring 52 isprovided in the present instance, one end of said spring engaging lug 51and the other end of the spring engaging the forward end of slide 42.This tends to force the operating slide l2 to the rear or to the rightof the casing, as viewed in Fig. 1, and this in turn operates throughthe opposed levers 38 and 39 to urge the hook members 25 and 26 towardeach other.

Briefly stated, the operation is as follows: iVhen the door is swungshut, the bolt enters the casing, iorcing hook members 25 and apart,hook members 25 and 26 mov ing abutment member 33 away from the enteringbolt. A t'ter the bolt has passed book ends 251 and 261, the hookmembers come toward each other, hook ends 251 and 261 overhanging thebolt to hold it in latched position. As the hook members and 26 movetoward each other, they move abutment member toward the bolt so thatwhen the bolt is in latched position between the hook members, abutmentmember 33 presses the bolt against the hook members, the bent portionoi: the abutment embracing the bolt to clampthe same againstsubstantially all lateral movement.

To open the door, handle member or lever 17 is operaten or swung on itspivot, lever 47 engaging and operating slide .2. Slide 4-2 operates orswings opposed levers 38 and 39, these levers in turn operating the hookmembers to swing them away from each other, and as the hook membersswing away from each other, they cause abutment member 33 to move awayfrom the bolt. The bolt is thus released and the door is free to swing.

It will be observed that a latch of simple, compact construction hasbeen provided. One of the importantteatures of the invention resides inthe fact that practically every part can be made of stamped sheet metal,thus greatly reducing the cost of manutacture. It is to be understoodthat various changes in construction and arrangement of the parts can bemade without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Latch means comprising latch members separable one from the other andadapted to receive a bolt therebetween, opposed members pivoted to swingtransversely of said latch members for operating said latch members. andslidable means engaging and operating said opposed members.

2. Latch means comprising latch members separable one from the other andadapted to receive a bolt, therebetween, means for operating said latchmembers, and means acting through such operating means urging said latchmembers toward one another.

3. Latch means comprising latch members separable one from the other andadapted to reteive a bolt 'therebetween, opposed members pivoted toswing transversely of said latch members for operating said latchmembers, and means movable between said opposed members for operatingthesame.

i. Latch means comprising latch members separable one from the other andadapted to receive a bolt tlierebetween, opposed pivoted .iuembers foroperating said latch members, and slidable means engaging and op eratinsaid opposed pivoted members.

:3. match means comprising opposed piv (ted hook i'uembers separable onefrom the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, opposedJHGiIll'XZIS pivoted to swing trans .ly of said hook members foroperating said hook members, and slidable means engaging and. operatingsaid opposed operatin g members.

(3. Latch means comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable onefrom the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, opposedoperating members engaging said hook members and pivoted to swingtransvcrsely thereof, slidable means engaging said o ieratin members,and means for operating said slidable means.

T. Latch means con'iprising opposed pi'v-- oted hook members separableone from the other by the insertion of a bolt t-l'ierebetween, means foroperating said hook members, and means acting through said operatingmeans urging said hook members one toward the other.

8. Latch means con'iprising opposed piv-- oted hook members separableone from the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, a slidableoperating member, means connecting said operating member and saidopposed hook members, and spring means acting through said slidableoperating member tending to torcesaid hook members one toward the other.

9. Latch means comprising latch members separable one from the other andadapted to receive a bolt therebetween, opposed members ')ositi.*el.yconnected to said latch members to positively move said latch members tolatching and unlatching position, and means for operating said opposedmembers. 10; Latch means comprising latch members separable one tt'roi'nthe other and adapted'to receive a bolt therebetweeu operating meansconnected to said latch members to move the same to unlatched position,and means acting through said operating means normally retaining saidlatch members in latched position.

11. In a latch, a. mounting or casing comprising abase plate having anangular end. portion, and a housing plate having an angular end portion,said plates secured together in spaced relation with the end portionssubstantially parallel, said end portions provided with opposedapertures, latching members provided with extruded vided with opposedapertures, hook-shaped latching members each made of one piece ofstamped metal and provided with eXtrnded portions, the extruded portionsof said latching members engaging in said apertures whereby saidlatching members are pivotally supported between said end portions, andmeans supported between said plates for operating said latching members.

13. Latch means comprising a mounting or casing, latch members separableone from the other and adapted to receive a bolt there between, andmeans including a sliding member for operating said latch men'ibers,said mounting or casing provided with a guideway for supporting saidsliding member.

1st. Latch means comprising opposed members separable one from the otherby the insertion ott bolt therebetween, said opposed men'ibers' eachprovided with an aperture, and abutment means en aging in said apertures engageable by a bolt entering between said members, said abutmentmeans pressing the bolt against said opposed members. i

15. Latch means con'iprising opposed pivoted members resiliently pressedone toward the other and separable one-from the other by theinsertion ora bolt therebet'ween, said opposed members each provided with anaperture, and an abutment provided with reduced end portions, said endportions en gaging in said apertures whereby said abutment is supportedbetween said pivoted members, said abutment provided with shouldersnormally abutting said pivoted members to limit movement of one opposedmember toward the other.

16. Latch means con'iprisin-g opposed pivoted members separable oneiii-om the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetweeu, said opposedmembers each provided with an aperture, and an abutment engaging in saidapertures whereby theabutment is support ed between said pivotedmembers, said abutment provided with a projection extending between thepivoted ends or said opposed members' to prevent disengagement o'tsaidabutment from said apertures.

17. Latch means comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable onefrom the other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, said hookmembers each provided with an aperture, spring? means urging said iiifit

members toward one another, and an abutment engaging in said aperturessaid abutment engageable by a bolt entering between said members, saidabutment pressing the bolt against said hook members.

18. The combination, with a bolt, of latching means movable by said boltand adapted to hold the latter in latched position, abutment meansmovable to engage and press said bolt against said latching means, andmeans including a slidable member for operating said latching means torelease the bolt.

19. Latch means comprising opposed members separable one from the otherby the insertion of a bolt therebetween, abutment means supported bysaid opposed members engageable by the bolt entering between saidopposed members, said abutment means pressing the bolt against saidopposed members, and means for operating said opposed members to releasethe bolt.

2-0. A latch comprising latching means movable to engage and hold a boltin latched position, abutment means supported by said latching meansadapted to engage and press the bolts against said latching means, andmeans for operating the latching means to release the bolt.

21. A latch comprising latching means movable to engage and hold a boltin latched position, abutment means supported by said latching meansadapted to engage and press the bolt against said latching means, meansfor operating the latching means to release the bolt, and means actingthrough such operating means normally retaining said latching means inlatched position.

22. A latch comprising opposed pivoted latching members movable toengage and hold a bolt in latched position, an abutment member supportedby said latching members and adapted to engage and press the boltagainst said latching members, and means for operating the latchingmembers to release the bolt.

23. A latch comprising opposed pivoted hook members movable to engageand hold a bolt in latched position, an abutment member supported bysaid hook members adapted to engage and press the bolt against said hookmembers, and means for operatin said hook members to release the bolt.

A latch comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one from theother by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, said hook memberseachprovided with an aperture, an abutment member engaging in said aperturesadapted to engage and press said bolt against said hook members, andmeans for operating said hook members to release the bolt.

25. A latch comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one fromthe other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, said hook memberseach provided with an aperture, an abutment member engaging in saidapertures adapted to engage and press said bolt against said hookmembers, means for operating said hook members to release the bolt, andmeans acting through such operat ing means normally retaining said hookmembers in latched position.

26. A latch comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one fromthe other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, said hook memberseach provided with an aperture, an abutment member engaging in saidapertures adapted to engage and press said bolt against said hookmembers, opposed pivoted members engaging said hook members foroperating said hook members to re lease the bolt, a slidable memberengaging and operating such pivoted operating members, and handle meansfor operating said slidable member.

27. A latch comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one fromthe other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, said hook memberseach provided with an aperture, an abutment member engaging in saidapertures adapted to engage and ,press said bolt against said hookmembers, opposed pivoted members engaging said hook mem- .bers foroperating said hook members to release the bolt, a slidable memberengaging and operating said slidable member, and spring means actingthrough said slidable member and such pivoted operating members tonormally retain the hook members in latched position.

28. A latch comprising opposed pivoted hook members separable one fromthe other by the insertion of a bolt therebetween, an abutment membersupported by said hook members adapted to engage and press the boltagainst said hook members, opposed pivoted levers for operating saidhook members, a slide mounted between said levers for operating thelatter, said slide provided with an offset bend intermediate its endsand laterally projecting lugs adjacent one end, each of said loversprovided with two notches, one of said hook members engaging in one ofsaid notches of one of said levers and one of said lugs on said slideengaging in the other notch ot the same lever, spring means engaging andholding said slide in a certain position, and a pivoted hand leverengaging the offset bend ot' said slide to opcrate said slide againstthe tension of said spring.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

FRANCIS M. VANDERVOOR'IT,

